#GivingTuesday

Last year, Power of One launched our first fundraising campaign. And with it, came our first gift of $10.00. It may not seem like much, but it meant the world to us because it was given with love. You see, our first donor has many mouths to feed, yet she wanted to kickstart the spirit of giving because she knew that all contributions — large and small — help us tell stories that help others.

To that first donor who gave — THANK YOU! To all of YOU who gave this past year — THANK YOU!

Thanks to you, Power of One was able to capture amazing stories, publish essays and op-eds, host preview and discussion programs, and connect with thousands of people, many of whom were buoyed by the stories of hope and healing.

Beyond The Wall Program

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to give what I have received; and to share what I have been given.”

My yoga teacher ‘Kala,’ ends every class with this beautiful saying.

In Sanskrit, her name means “fine arts,” in Hindu, it means “God of time.”

One morning, after nearly a year of practicing with her at her makeshift studio at a local YMCA, I realized that her parting words were a gift to us, meant to seed our day with the practice of giving and receiving — the innate beauty of sharing our unique presence, attributes and knowledge with others, and to listen and allows others to share themselves with us – the receipt. Allowing these words to seep in more deeply, it dawned on me that giving and receiving is the same act; just different actions or actors separated only by a thing called ‘time’.

Last month, I received a note from a veteran in North Carolina. He had just finished reading my first novel, Beyond The Wall: The Journey Home. It had been recommended to him by a nurse at his VA hospital.

His note read:

“I read your book, Beyond The Wall. I’m not sure if you will ever know exactly how close you really got. Painfully close. But I’m glad someone did. Thank You.”

“I’m Scared”

“I’m scared.” Her words tumble out. Their weight seem to outweigh her physical form, and she holds our eye contact with large, searching eyes as she repeats the words again, this time with more emphasis. “I’m really scared.”

I nod my head. I know why she’s scared.

We can’t see depression. And because we can’t see it, we don’t know where the bottom is.

Preview the Power of One

Preview the Power of One at the Community Arts Center Wednesday, September 9th, 2015 6:00pm – 8:30pm 220 West Fourth Street, Williamsport PA I’m excited to share with you a preview of Power of One: Preventing Suicide in America at the Community Arts Center this September. This film is very personal for me, as I […]

Care Q/A, Part I

Care Q/A, Part I Featuring Dr. Robert Chianelli, DMD This is the first in a series of questions and answers with healthcare professionals about how they care for others and themselves. Background: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention estimates there are between 300-400 suicides among doctors every year. The total number of suicides among medical […]

Power of One Intro Video

Power of One: Preventing Suicide in America is a feature documentary and outreach effort that shares the stories of people at the forefront of preventing suicide — advocates, surviving friends and family, and those who pivoted from the brink, woven with insights by doctors, experts and public officials — to show how we are all connected, not […]

Power of One

Let's harness the power of story to prevent suicide. Connect. Contribute. Share.

Alivia Tagliaferri